Grant Boosts Boat Access to the Monongahela River

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
26 March 2012
By Bob Frye

A federal grant is going to give boaters more access to the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is providing $405,377 toward the cost of improving the South Side Works Marina through a Boating Infrastructure Grant. The project will involve constructing 16 transient boat slips and other amenities and services adjacent to the South Shore Riverfront Park on the Monongahela River.

The grant is one of many, worth $2.5 million, released for projects in 26 states. The money may be used to construct, renovate and maintain facilities with features for transient boats — those staying 10 days or less — that are 26 feet or longer and used for recreation. Grantees also may use funds to produce and distribute information and educational materials about the program and recreational boating.

The grant will not cover the cost of the project; the total bill is $643,456. The remaining $238,079 will come in the form of matching funding provided by the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority in collaboration with Soffer Organization and Fox Chapel Sea Ray Inc.

Bob Frye can be reached at bfrye@tribweb.com or 724-838-5148.